73s
73s
73s is a starting hand in Texas Hold'em consisting of a seven and a three of the same suit, widely considered a weak hand due to its low rank and poor drawing potential.
Overview
73s (seven-three suited) is one of the weakest starting hands in Texas Hold'em. It ranks near the bottom of hand strength charts, primarily because both cards are low and disconnected. The hand lacks high-card value and has limited potential to make strong hands like straights or flushes.
Strategic Considerations
Preflop
In most positions, 73s is a fold from early and middle positions. From late position (cutoff or button), it can occasionally be played as a speculative hand if the table is passive and there are many limpers, but this is generally not recommended for beginners. The hand is susceptible to dominated draws and rarely flops well.
Postflop
When played, the main value of 73s comes from disguised hands. If the flop contains a seven or three, or a flush draw, the hand can win a moderate pot. However, it often loses to better pairs or draws. Players should be cautious and avoid committing many chips without a strong made hand.
Suitedness
The suited nature improves the hand slightly, giving it a chance to hit a flush (about 6% probability by the river). However, even when it does, the flush is often not the nut flush, leaving it vulnerable to higher flushes.
Notable History
73s gained notoriety in the 2012 WSOP Main Event when Gaëlle Baumann held it against Greg Merson in a critical hand that ultimately led to her elimination. This hand is often cited as an example of the unpredictability of poker, though it should not be taken as a reason to play the hand regularly.
Conclusion
73s is a fold in almost all situations for most players. Advanced players may use it very occasionally for balance or as a steal attempt, but it remains a fundamentally weak hand that should be treated with caution.